Thursday, August 28, 2014

Happy new moon to y'all! As August comes to a close, so does the summer. I've had a ball this summer, and one of the things that I got to do was crafts in the park with kids with Collage. Here's a picture from pipe cleaner jewelry night. Notice my crown? I'm the queen of pipe cleaner jewelry!

I'm super excited about my most recent poster. I've been working with The Barn Owl for a few years now, and my request for this year's poster was to draw fireflies. I'm also exploring some new printing methods, inspired by a printmaking class that I taught.

You're probably wondering, "What is this revolutionary new printmaking method that she's using?" It's multiple colored prints! Holy wow! I need to get a few new things to really perfect it, but I'm loving it so far. The first poster I tried in this method was for the fab Brooklyn band Every Flavor Weather Machine.

I can't go through a summer without a nautical poster, and I just love how the color fade made it look so refreshing. Ahhhhh... also I want to be a mermaid.

Here's a revised sketch that I did for a project that I've been working on based on Butte, MT and a general sense of dread.

I've been working in a brand-new media to me, watercolor directly on wood. It's had a cool effect so far.

After going in the with the watercolor layer, I go in with acrylic paint markers and some solvent-based brush pen markers to tighten it up.

The best holiday in August is Julia Child's birthday, hands down. Here's a sweet old podcast with a Julia Child interview.

Finally, some photos of what my linoleum block printing class made. I had so much fun teaching for the first time!

I guess the things I'll miss most about summer are watching the kids leave for bike camp every morning at the Community Cycling Center, and the shady areas in the parks.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

We are halfway through summer! After tearing down my last art show, I noticed that pet portraits were really popular. We love our pets. In Oregon, we either love or love to hate rain. Surprisingly, it's been a pretty dry summer here. I started a series after thinking about this... called "it's raining cats and dogs". These are currently on display at the Bare Bones Cafe, along with other pieces.

I went out to the Oregon Country Fair! It was pretty fun. Before we went in, my cousins and I got bedazzled.

I've been dreaming of going to figure drawing for quite awhile. My roommate and I finally went this month, and it was so much fun! My new goal is to fit it into my schedule once a month.

I started a new project with a fun new client, and one of my favorite things to do when working out a new project that has a significant "feeling" to it is doing color studies. I spent an afternoon sketching on my porch one weekend... which is one of the perks of gorgeous summer days!

Some of the sketches for the project...

From the sketchbook, Chris Thile.

I finished up this tee shirt design for Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons! Elephants can high-five and lo-five at the same time.

Finally, I just started a new zodiac series, starting with my own sign.

So many projects are coming up in August! I'm doing a few projects with old friends on the East Coast, teaching my first class, and celebrating the Birthday of one of my favorite celebrities through art :)